Philippines AirAsia begins flights

Philippines AirAsia has operated its maiden flights from Clark to Kalibo (Boracay) in the Visayas and Davao in Mindanao.

The first Philippines AirAsia flight, PQ7001, left for Kalibo with 143 guests, including 18 children with hearing impairment and Down Syndrome, who flew for the first time accompanied by their parents and teachers for an educational trip to Kalibo.

“Philippines AirAsia maiden flights are pioneering routes – our Clark to Davao and Clark to Kalibo flights will make air travel for Northern and Central Luzon passengers more convenient and comfortable,” remarked Maan Hontiveros, CEO of AirAsia Inc, which operating as Philippines AirAsia.

“The prospect of Philippines AirAsia starting its flights is truly exciting. Philippines is a robust and growing market. We are here because we are confident of its growth,” AirAsia Group CEO Tony Fernandes commented.

For her part, Hontiveros noted, "Today is a source of national pride for us, Filipinos, as we send off our all-Filipino crew and start our pioneering flights that will improve domestic air connectivity. We picked Davao because it is an important gateway to Mindanao, and Kalibo because of Boracay, which is an international popular tourist spot. Today is just the start for AirAsia revolutionising air travel in the Philippines.”